The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the continued detention of a key leader of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Nasir El‑Rufai, by the federal government. He said the detention is political persecution. Obi made the remarks during a visit to Kaduna where he met with stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress ADC. 

Obi, presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, visited Kaduna to broaden his consultations for the ADC presidential ticket. 

Peter Obi observed that Kaduna was once a symbol of unity and coexistence, a major hub for industry, agriculture, and commerce, and still holds that potential with disciplined, competent, and people-oriented leadership.

He said the continued detention of El-Rufai raises concerns about the state of democracy and the rule of law in the country, stressing that justice must be fair, transparent, and not politically motivated.

Other stakeholders of the party also advocated for politics without bitterness, calling on politicians across the country to promote peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and issue-based politics as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

Peter Obi also used the visit to hold a closed-door meeting with key ADC stakeholders as part of ongoing political consultations ahead of future political engagements, emphasizing the need for unity among opposition parties to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.